Metallic fence



(No Model.)

J. H. GONNELLY.

METALLIC FENCE.

Patented Sept. 27, 1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOSEPH H. GONNELLY, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

METALLIC FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,537, dated September 27, 1881.

Application filed July 25, 1881. (No model.)

To all-whom it may concern;

Beit known that I, JosEPH H. GONNELLY, of Allegheny, in the county ot' Allegheny and State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Metallic Fences; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specilication, in which- Figures.1, 2, and 3 are views of different forms ofmy improved metallic fence-strip. Fig. 4 is a view showing the strips attachedto the fence-posts; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view, showing the manner of attaching the strips to metallic fence-posts.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to the construction of metallic fences and rails therefor, and has for its object to secure a light and strong rail or rail-fence which will resist force and turn stock without entangling or otherwise injuring them, and which can be readily and cheaply manurfactured.

To this end it consists, mainly, in a rail having divergent an ges, which project in such directions that when the rail is attached to the post one or more of the flanges shall stand at an angle thereto, the projecting iian ges having beveled or knife edges, which edges may or may not be left ragged or irregular, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Heretofore, so far as l am aware, the classes,

of metallic fencing in most common use have been the barbed-wire fencing, which is not readily seen by cattle, and is liable to entangle and injure stock, and metallic rails having thorns or saw-teeth, which latter are formed by first rolling and then notchin g or slitting the bar, thus requiring two steps in its manufacture, which adds to the cost and produces a rail lacking strength to resist force, and one liable to seriously tear and injure stock. For the above reasons I do not herein desire to he understood as broadly claiming either barbed metallic fence-rails or Han ged metallic fence-rails, but will now proceed to describe my invention so that the characteristics thereof may be readily ascertained. i

The salient features are the beveled-ed ge ange and the ragged or roughened edge, ei-

-formed in the same to admit the strip.

tached to posts, so that one or more of the anges will project therefrom. The edges of each of these strips are beveled or knife-shaped. Any of these or other forms of strips of metal having sharp edges arranged to project at an angle from the fence-post maybe used, as preferred. These strips may be about halfan inch in width, and may be manufactured as follows: Metal bars, having been heated, are passed through suitable rolls having grooves and tongues to form the shapes c and b, and grooves to form the shape c. These grooves are narrowed at their bottom, so as to give a sharp and ragged edge to the strip, as shown in Figs. 1,2, and 3 of the drawings. These strips may be about thirty feet in length, so as to allow of their being tied in bundles for transportation.

In constructing the fence metal or wooden posts may be used, as desired. The strips may be attached to the wooden posts by cutting slots in the posts, inserting one edge of the strip in these slots, and securing the strip by staples, as shown in the drawings, the strip being arranged so as to have one or more of the sharp edges extending at an angle from the post. Metal posts formed from gas or other pipe may be used, the pipe having holes c These posts are so placed that they will meet the joining-point of the strips, and the ends of the strips are attached and fastened to the posts by bending the end ofthe strip down inside of the post, as shown in the drawings, by means of a rod or chisel inserted from the top of the hollow pipe. pipe may be covered by a metal cap.

The advantages of my invention are the strength, lightness, and durability of the fence constructed as described. The sharp and ragged edges keep the cattle from breaking the fence and escaping from the inclosure, and cannot injure the stock.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is"- 1. A metallic fence-rail having a series of The opening at the top of the' IOO beveled or knife-edge divergent flanges, subone or more of the lunges project :it un angle 1o stantially as and for the purpose specified. thereto, substantially as and for the purposev 2. A metallic fence-rail having :L series of speeiied. beveled or knifeedge divergent flanges, the In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 5 knife-edges being roughened or irregular, sub my hand.

stantinlly es and for the purpose specified. JOSEPH H. GONNELLY.

3. The eomhinatiolnwith suitable fence-posts, Witnesses: of n series of metallic mils having divergent; T. XV. BAKEWELL,

anges, the mils attached to the posts so that; l JAMES H. PORTE. 

